DEFIANCE Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 1837

119th Congress

DEFIANCE Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:May 21, 2025

Primary Sponsor

John Fetterman

D - PA

Cosponsors

15

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Summary

This bill aims to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly by designating it as a high-priority research area for the Department of Agriculture. It would provide funding for developing and distributing tools and treatments to manage this pest that damages crops and plants. The bill also reauthorizes several existing USDA grant programs related to food safety, pollinator protection, and monitoring honey bee health.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Introduced5/21/2025

StatusRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3059-3060)

ChamberSenate

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Vote Prediction

DEFIANCE Act of 2025

This bill aims to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly by designating it as a high-priority research area for the Department of Agriculture. It would provide funding for developing and distributing tools and treatments to manage this pest that damages crops

Community Breakdown

Pass

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This bill aims to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly by designating it as a high-priority research area for the Department of Agriculture. It would provide funding for developing and distributing tools and treatments to manage this pest that damages crops and plants. The bill also reauthorizes several existing USDA grant programs related to food safety, pollinator protection, and monitoring honey bee health.

Bill Number: 1837
Introduced: 5/21/2025
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3059-3060)
Policy Area: Agriculture and Food

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: DEFIANCE Act of 2025
Bill Number: 1837
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR S3059-3060)
Introduced: 5/21/2025
Summary: This bill aims to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly by designating it as a high-priority research area for the Department of Agriculture. It would provide funding for developing and distributing tools and treatments to manage this pest that damages crops and plants. The bill also reauthorizes s

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill aims to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly by designating it as a high-priority research area for the Department of Agriculture. It would provide funding for developing and distributing tools and treatments to manage this pest that damages crops and plants. The bill also reauthorizes several existing USDA grant programs related to food safety, pollinator protection, and monitoring honey bee health.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act This bill includes combatting the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) as a Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension area. The bill specifically allows grants for developing and disseminating research-based tools and treatments to combat the spotted lanternfly, which is an invasive species native to China that feeds on a wide range of crops and plants (e.g., grapes, apples, hops, walnuts, and hardwood trees). Further, the bill reauthorizes USDA grants to support competitive specialized research and extension activities, including high-priority areas, through FY2028. The bill also specifically reauthorizes through FY2028 <ul> <li> the Pulse Crop Health Initiative;</li> <li>the Comprehensive Food Safety Training Network;</li> <li>pollinator protection research and extension grants;</li> <li>increased USDA capacity and infrastructure to address and conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues; and </li> <li>a USDA-conducted nationwide honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance program.</li> </ul>

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Designates the spotted lanternfly as a high-priority research area for the USDA to develop management tools and treatments
Reauthorizes USDA grant programs for specialized research and extension activities, including on pulse crops, food safety, pollinator protection, and honey bee health
Provides funding to support research, development, and dissemination of solutions to address the spotted lanternfly threat

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If enacted, this bill would benefit farmers, orchardists, and other agricultural producers whose crops and plants are at risk from the spotted lanternfly. It would also support researchers and extension services working to protect pollinators and ensure the safety and security of the U.S. food supply. The public could benefit from more effective management of this invasive pest and continued monitoring of honey bee health.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Agriculture and Food

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1837, 119th Congress (2025). "DEFIANCE Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-1837

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